Former champion jump jockey Harry Cobden took to social media on the opening day of Royal Ascot to show off his morning suit – pictured with his girlfriend Olivia Johnston – with the rider swapping the hurdles for hats.
It’s also been announced that Harry Cobden is the new JP McManus retained jockey – with the top jump rider his number one jockey from May 2026.
Harry Cobden Takes To Social Media To Show Off His Royal Ascot Clobber (and his Girlfriend)
You get all sorts at Royal Ascot these days – even champion jump jockeys.
Yes, despite there being an afternoon hedgehopping fixture at Stratford on Tuesday, the 2024 champion jump jockey took to social media to let the world know he’s at Royal Ascot this week.
Cobden was pictured with his long-term girlfriend Olivia Johnston – who has been by his side since they met almost four years ago at Goodwood racecourse – on the opening day of the five-day Ascot fixture.
Last National Hunt season Harry Cobden was pipped to the jump jockeys’ title by Sean Bowen, who fired in 180 winners.
Which was 16 more than the 164 total Cobden notched up in 2023-24 when he was crowned champion jumps jockey.
But this week Cobden, who also helps run the family farm, was having a day off from it all at Royal Ascot – and looking very smart.
However, it’s back to the day job on Wednesday (18th June) for Harry Cobden.
The top jumps jockey is in action at Worcester for two rides – Tarahumara (4:30pm) and Amber Waves (5:10pm).
Swapping hurdles for hats! 🏇🎩
Great to be at Royal Ascot 👑#RoyalAscot pic.twitter.com/vQBnbtOkWX
— Harry Cobden (@CobdenHarry) June 17, 2025
While a day later on the Wednesday another sporting star was seen at the meeting.
Top golfer Justin Rose was in the Royal Procession at Ascot on the Wednesday with his wife Kate.
What an honour for this year’s US Masters runner-up.
When Harry Cobden Isn’t Racing, He’s On The Farm
Harry Cobden, who is stable jockey with former champion jumps trainer Paul Nicholls, also runs a farm.
Being the son of a farming family, it’s always been in his blood, where he would rear about 50 calves during the summer holidays.
His family run a mixed beef and arable farm in Somerset, where his brother James manages the arable operation and Harry pitches in daily when not riding.
While over the year’s he’s bought land around his parents’ farm in Lydford-on-Fosse to remain in the area.
The Harry Cobden Royal Ascot picture also led to many comments – including one from ITV Racing man Matt Chapman.
With Chappers, who operates under @Mcyeeehaa, chipping in to say “Not a cow 🐄anywhere! Must feel very odd”
While older brother James Cobden also got in on the act saying “Shame you left everyone to feed your cows this morning thanks for your help”
Who Is Harry Cobden’s Girlfriend?
Harry Cobden’s girlfriend is Olivia Johnston, who he met almost four years ago when out on another day at the races – this time Goodwood.
“I was just on a day out, which is something I never do… and there was this young lady there.”
“We exchanged numbers, we went on a few dates. I could make this a great story.”
Johnston is expected to be moving in with Cobden this year. Where she was previously based Marlborough, where she had worked for trainer Martyn Meade.
Cobden recently said “We try and meet up a couple of times a week.
“That’s probably why it’s lasted so long… she doesn’t know the real me yet.’ Perhaps more to the point.
“‘She understands. Sometimes I’ve had a bad day, so there might not be loads of conversation – but she doesn’t get annoyed with me.
“She understands that I’m going to the races for my work rather than like the average person.”
WATCH: Harry Cobden Winning The 2025 Scottish Grand National on Captain Cody
Harry Cobden rode one winner at the 2025 Cheltenham Festival when Caldwell Potter won the Jack Richards Novices’ Handicap Chase.
While he also won the Scottish Grand National last season.
When being booked to ride by champion Irish trainer Willie Mullins (watch below).
